2013/10/16 Council Agenda Packet

traditional land use approaches, but also heightened integration of land use with transportation and targeted investments in a range of public assets that meet the needs of current and future residents and businesses. Remove barriers to development. Regional market analysis has shown that demand for housing and commercial space located near rapid transit stations exists in all three light rail corridors. However, existing conditions in some locations are potential barriers to new market development, and include restrictive zoning capacity and other regulatory barriers (e.g., excessive parking requirements), and lack of essential public infrastructure. Removing regulatory barriers through regulatory review and local and regional tools to fund the most pressing infrastructure needs, is important in all transit communities regardless of market conditions, but particularly critical in those with emerging or strong markets. Support development in emerging markets. Market analysis also shows that the light rail corridors include a large number of locations with weaker market conditions where regional accessibility by high capacity transit service may not alone be sufficient to attract new development. This represents a significant challenge for both local jurisdictions and the region. New development in emerging markets should be supported by tools and investments that increase value, reduce costs, and build on existing community assets and market potential. Recommended Strategies 6. Conduct station area planning 7. Use land efficiently in transit communities 8. Locate, design and provide access to transit stations to support TOD 9. Adopt innovative parking tools 10. Invest in infrastructure and public realm improvements 32 The Growing Transit Communities Strategy ( Public Review Draft I May 2013